Poppleton have won the division one title in the IT Sports Mixed Tennis League despite losing their match against current champions York 57-51.

Neither team were able to field a full strength side with Poppleton giving debuts to Ashley Dearing and Kate Empson and York promoting Nick Linfoot and Kathryn Place.

Poppleton, champions in 2000, have won the title on superior games difference with the division's best pair of Michael Binns and Belinda Turnbull winning all three rubbers for 26 games, and Nick Pears in his first game for York along with partner Jenny Ashley winning two rubbers.

Fulford have taken third spot with a 59-49 win at rivals Dunnington after Fulford had a good second round.

The battle against relegation is between Tadcaster and Civil Service who have to play against each other.

Tadcaster eased their fears of the drop after securing a 55-53 win against relegated Stillington.

Their success was largely thanks to the unbeaten pairing of John Rutherford and Lorraine Pearey, who won their final rubber 9-3.

Poppleton also top division two after their 58-50 win at York thirds thanks to John Anderson and Hilary Spencer who were unbeaten despite the best efforts of York's Jamie Moore and Chris Place.

Wigginton dropped to second place after losing 57-51 at York seconds and have to play relegation-threatened Civil Service to try to grab the title.

York seconds will finish third after Sherburn had to concede their match against them.

Civil Service beat Sherburn 55-53 with top scorers Graham Cook and Jackie Ritchie winning 11-1 in their final rubber to take the points.

Bubwith are now the only unbeaten team in the league after their 72-36 win against Tollerton in division three led by Cliff Harrison and Jill Schofield who won 30 games.

Castlegarth have finished third after beating Bishopthorpe 68-40 with their first pair of Rob Osbourne and Sue Perkins winning 31 games. Bishopthorpe and Riccall are the two teams in the relegation frame.

Wheldrake have taken the division four title after beating their main title rivals Dunnington 57-51. Mark Bland and Helen Roe were Wheldrake's top scorers winning 24 games. They were well supported by Graham Taylor and Jackie Williamson.

Wigginton ensured their stay in the division with a good 59-49 win against Selby, led by top scorers Stuart Robertson and Julie Noonan.

Despite finishing with a 60-48 win against Cawood, Appleton Roebuck will be relegated with their opponents. Graham Scattergood and Judy Marriott led Appleton's win with 23 games supported by the unbeaten Paul Harrison and Amber Hickman.

Copmanthorpe celebrated their division five title with a 58-50 win at Sutton-on-Derwent headed by the consistent of Graeme Butcher and Karen Hornby with 24.

Sutton lost ground after losing to Stilllington 60-48 with Graham Cookman and Jennifer Jones winning 25 games and the mother and son combination of Christine and Ben Cookman 20 games.

The two rivals then met with Sutton-on-Derwent prevailing with a 59-49 win at Fulford.

Wistow breathed easier after winning 63-45 at Riccall thanks to the unbeaten Stephen and Janet Falkingham whose efforts were matched by Eric Fletcher and Jill Marsden.

Heworth and Wigginton look to have secured the two division six promotion places.

Heworth retained top spot after a close match against Fulford to end Fulford's aspirations. Heworth's best pair of Alan Bradshaw and Chris Vis secured the points winning their last rubber 10-2.

Wigginton stay second with a 63-45 win at Appleton Roebuck led by Les Almond and Val Renshaw, who won 25 games.

Tollerton pushed Civil Service all the way before Service took a 56-52 win to secure division seven and consign Tollerton to relegation.

Charlie Dixon and Barbara Leopard topped the scoring for Service just one game ahead of Alan Reynolds and Zoe Manton.

Sutton-on-Derwent consolidated second place with a 65-43 win against Sheriff Hutton led by the unbeaten Dave Nowell and Sally Simpson.

Bishopthorpe will finish in third place after their 85-23 win against Rufforth.

York confirmed their division eight title with a good win against Riccall.

York's consistent Roger Burton and Rosemary Littlefair were the top scorers well supported by Peter Finlay and Danni Courtine.

John Huffington and Kath Clarke won their last rubber to seal the points for Wilberfoss against Bubwith in their 59-49 win to move out of the relegation area. That leaves the final week of matches significantwith key issues still to be resolved.

Strensall are still in the promotion race after beating visitors Dunnington thanks to Owen Berger and Sue Sheader winning their final rubber 10-2.

Cawood hold the key to promotion in division nine after main rivals Fulford went down to early season promotion hopefuls Selby.

Selby's Chris Godwin and Jean White won 25 games to top score just ahead of Nick Godwin and Helen Muschik. Fulford's Terry Haw and Jeanne Loadman were unbeaten.

Cawood kept their promotion hopes alive with a 63-45 win against drop-haunted Appleton Roebuck headed by unbeaten Derek Andrews and Anne Walsh, who just outscored Eddie Burton and Monica Jenkinson. Fulford have to await the match between Cawood and Appleton Roebuck to see if they will be promoted.

Updated: 12:04 Tuesday, August 13, 2002